Samsung Introduces Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo Smartwatches

New Samsung Gear smartwatches drop Android

Samsung (SSNLF) had high hopes for its Galaxy Gear. The 2013 release was the first smartwatch from a big consumer electronics giant. The Galaxy Gear meant Samsung was first to market, ahead of Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG) and Microsoft (MSFT) — all of which are suspected to be furiously working on smartwatches of their own.

The problem is, Samsung made a number of mistakes with the Galaxy Gear, from the single-day battery life, to the camera embedded awkwardly in the wristband, the lack of compatibility with its own smartphones and the steep $299 price tag.